Margherite Wendell Chapman is the ex-wife of Willie Mays. Margherite Wendell Chapman’s ex-husband is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed “the Say Hey Kid” and “Buck”, he is regarded as one of the greatest Baseball players ever. He ranks second behind only Babe Ruth on most all-time lists, including those of The Sporting News and ESPN. Who is Willie Mays’ ex-wife?
Margherite Wendell Chapman: Bio Summary
| Full Name | Margherite Wendell Chapman |
| famous as | Ex-wife of Willie Mays |
| Age | 84 years old at the time of death |
| Date of Birth | 1926 |
| Place of Birth | United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African American |
| Children | Michael Mays |
| Spouse | Willie Mays (m. 1956–1963) |
Who is Willie Mays’ ex-wife, Margherite Chapman?
Major League Baseball legend Willie Mays was first married to Margherite Wendell Chapman, and the couple was married for five years before they decided to separate. Though there isn’t much information available regarding how the former lovers met and started their relationship, the couple did enjoy their short time together before they separated. Margherite Wendell Chapman was born in 1926 while her ex-husband was born in 1931. She was about 5 years older than him.
Willie Mays’ ex-wife, Margherite Chapman tied the knot in a beautiful wedding ceremony in 1956. The couple adopted a five-day-old baby named Michael in 1959. When they were together, they made San Francisco’s Sherwood Forest neighborhood their primary home. Even during their short-lived time together as married couples, there were already rumors that the two were not getting along, as gossip columns would report about it.
ALSO, READ; Michael Mays: Where is Willie Mays’ son now?
Two years after their marriage in 1956, the couple opened up about their marriage in one of their interviews. Willie Mays’ ex-wife put the rumors about them “not getting along” in their marriage to rest saying that they aren’t true and they are happily married. The reporter who wouldn’t have it went on to press her by asking why there have been rumors that she wasn’t happy to move to San Francisco the same way the city was delighted to have them there.
She eventually denied the rumors as well, calling them “malicious gossip.” She went on to say that there appears to be one person out to ruin her reputation in town, but she would rather not get involved. Three years later, the couple decided to separate and file for divorce, indicating that they had marital problems all along. They separated in 1962 and divorced in 1963, with Marghuerite taking their adopted son Michael Mays for the majority of the time. The reason behind their divorce was not made public.
ALSO, READ; Mae Louise Allen: How did Willie Mays’ wife die?
Where is Margherite Wendell Chapman now?
Is Willie Mays’ first wife still alive? After their marriage came to an end, Margherite went totally out of the limelight. While her ex-husband moved on ten years later and gave love another try, this time marrying second wife Mae Louise Allen, it is not clear if she ever married again.
Per sources, Willie Mays’ first wife Margherite Wendell Chapman passed away in 2010. The cause of her death was not made public. She was 84 years old at the time of her passing. Willie Mays on the other hand is 92 years old as of 2023.
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